Observing a nuclear explosion from space

During 1962 the United States carried out a series of atomic bomb tests at high altitude, the program was called Operation Fishbowl . Of the four attempts to detonate, only one of them worked, Starfish Prime , the July 9, 1962, which was launched from Johnston Atoll .

The explosion occurred at an altitude of 400 kilometers, the rocket Thor that carried the nuclear warhead reached the 1,100 miles up, the explosion was triggered, in fact, in the path of decline.

The main consequence of the nuclear explosion in space was the generation of an electromagnetic pulse much larger than expected, broke down and mismatch while many of the measuring instruments, causing great difficulty obtaining accurate readings. The pulse also caused damage in Hawaii, to 1,445 miles away, off 300 light poles, damaging telephone systems and activating alarms. The following satellite stopped functioning months after the detonation: Ariel, Traac, Transit 4B, Injun R, Telstar I in the U.S. and Cosmos V of the Soviet Union .. There is evidence that the satellites Explorer 14, Explorer 15 and Relay 1 were affected by the blast.

All of These satellites failed Completely Within Several months of the Starfish detonation. [9] There también Evidence That the Starfish Prime radiation belt May Have Damaged the satellites Explorer 14, Explorer 15 and Relay 1.

A picture accompanying this article, is a photo taken of the explosion of Starfish Prime from space as part of a series of images of atomic bombs compiled by The Atlantic .

Observing a nuclear explosion from space written in ALT1040 on 7 May, 2011 by Eduardo Arcos
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